A: There is no one "right"method for determining the appropriate initial insulin dosage for children with new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D). Choosing an insulin regimen often involves a trade-off between accuracy and simplicity.
The split-mix regimen. Until recently, most pediatric patients with T1D were started on a "2-shot split-mix" regimen, which combined short- and long-acting insulins(Drug information on insulins) in a single injection given twice daily at a total daily dose of approximately 1 unit/kg. Typically, two thirds of the total daily dose was given at breakfast and one third before dinner. Two thirds of the morning dose was given as long-acting insulin (such as NPH or Lente) and one third as short-acting (such as Regular or one of the rapid-acting analogs). Half of the evening dose was given as long-acting and half as short-acting insulin. For example, for a child who weighs 36 kg, the initial insulin doses would be 8 lispro/aspart plus 16 NPH at breakfast and 6 lispro/aspart plus 6 NPH at dinner.
Many clinicians are now moving away from the 2-shot split-mix regimens because they are usually insufficient to meet intensive glycemic goals without unacceptable swings in blood sugar levels. Three-shot regimens move the dinner NPH dose to bedtime to provide better overnight coverage. Extra "touch-up" doses of short-acting insulin are often needed at lunch or in the midafternoon. The split-mix regimen does require consistency and regularity in meal portions and timing.
The "basal-bolus" method. With the development of once-daily long-acting insulin analogs (glargine and detemir), many clinicians have completely abandoned the split-mix regimen in favor of the basal-bolus method. This more physiologic insulin replacement strategy uses a single dose of a long-acting "basal" insulin to provide background insulin coverage, plus "bolus" doses of rapid-acting insulin analogs for every meal and snack. This method does require that the patient and/or caregiver have some knowledge of carbohydrate counting:
•Infants and toddlers may require 1 unit of rapid-acting insulin for every 20 to 50 g of carbohydrate.
•Preadolescents may require 1 unit per 10 to 20 g.
•Adolescents may require 1 unit per 5 to 10 g.
Alternatively, the insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio (ICR) may be determined by the "450 rule." To determine the ICR, divide 450 by the child's total daily dose of insulin (TDD). For example, for a child with a TDD of 36 units, the ICR would be 450/36 = 12.5, or 1 unit per 12 g of carbohydrate. The basal-bolus strategy allows more freedom in the amounts and timing of meals.
As always, the "best" method for determining insulin dosing should take into account a realistic assessment of the family's and child's abilities and life situation. Many older children and adolescents will tolerate 4 or 5 injections per day for flexibility in meal content and timing. Younger children typically prefer to eat consistently and have fewer shots.
Generally, we still use a 2-shot regimen during the first several months after diagnosis, while patients still have some residual insulin secretion (the "honeymoon period"). After the honeymoon--when blood sugar levels cannot be controlled adequately with 3 shots daily--we make the transition to basal-bolus therapy. This involves either multiple daily injection therapy using glargine or detemir plus aspart or lispro, or continuous subcutaneous insulin therapy (the pump).
